Headphones Etiquette
It’s one thing to pop in your headphones for some “me time,” but it’s another to rudely tune out the entire world. Check out Modern Manners Guy’s tips for headphones etiquette.
Richie Frieman
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Headphones Etiquette
Whether it’s exercising or walking along the street, wearing your headphones can make you feel like you’re in your own little world. Of course, that is the point. After all, the last thing I want to do during a commute is talk to some wacko about his insane conspiracy theories. I’d much rather pop on my headphones and relax with my favorite music or a great podcast..
Whatever your reason for wearing headphones, once you put them on, it’s easy to forget what’s going on around you. “What? Come on, I’m minding my own business and keeping to myself!” I hear you…
But before you tune out the world, check out my top 3 quick and dirty tips for headphones etiquette:
Tip #1: Vet the Volume
In a classic Saturday Night Live skit, Bill Murray plays the world’s most annoying passenger on a plane, shouting to others over the noise of his headphones.  His irritating rudeness is absolutely hilarious…until you’re on the receiving end of the character he portrayed in real life.  Be it on a plane, at work, or while getting coffee, we’ve all seen it happen. Some people refuse to take the .005 seconds it takes to remove the headphones or at least pull them aside on one ear, to listen and speak to someone.
How on earth can you not realize that you’re screaming? I mean, maybe if you’re a child, but when an adult does this, there’s no excuse? I mean, we should have all mastered the art of volume regulation while wearing headphones by now. It’s not a new invention, folks.
Be in your own world and listen to your music all you want. In fact, it’s proper to wear headphones when you’re in public so others don’t have to hear your soundtrack to Wicked for the umpteenth time. However, the moment you need to speak to someone, remove the hardware and pay attention.Â
I don’t care how swift you think you are, you cannot have a lucid conversation while wearing your headphones. It’s impossible. The other party will likely get annoyed because you refuse to give them 5 seconds of your uninterrupted attention. After all, that’s why there’s a pause button on your iPod. It’s OK, you can return to it in few seconds, I promise.
Tip #2:Â Zoning Out at Work
I’m totally guilty of zoning out while using my headphones at work. I pop them on, listen to my music, find my zen place, and then pound out whatever needs to get done in peace. What’s wrong with that? It’s win-win for everyone – I listen to something I enjoy without bothering colleagues around me and I get a little “me time.”Â
This is a perfectly sound argument and honestly, I have a hard time debating it. However, the one thing I can discuss is how zoning out can turn unmannerly when you’re around others and ignore them completely. For example, say you’re at work and you plug your headphones into your laptop to get you in the zone to meet a deadline. And then Larry from marketing comes over and asks you about that quarterly report. You’re so zoned out, you don’t even hear him. He asks a few times, you seem to ignore him, and he stalks off deflated thinking you’re the rudest person on two legs.Â
The lesson here: The workplace is not your zen place.
I worked with a guy who popped his headphones on at 7am and didn’t come back to earth until 4pm when he left for the day. Granted, he was in contracts and spent his day reading, but still – he became a ghost. He alienated everyone around him because he preferred to zone out rather than join the team. Not even just small talk about the weather or TV, nothing.
Yes, he was productive and yes, he minded his own business, but he lacked the necessary interpersonal skills to be productive as a coworker. He refused to engage with people, which although not a prerequisite, it incredibly important for professional growth. Â
So whenever you’re working with your headphones on, be sure to acknowledge and interact with the team around you from time to time. Tune in, but make sure you don’t tune everyone else out permanently.
Tip #3: The Office Bathroom (Yes, That’s Right, the Bathroom)
Let me start off by saying that in the hierarchy of disgusting bathrooms, the office bathroom holds a high level position. Not quite the World Reigning Champion of Nastiness, like the gas station bathroom, but still a top competitor. The one reason it’s so bad is that people treat the workplace bathroom like it offended them or something. They throw trash, they leave water around the sink, and don’t get me started on the toilet…um…residue. Ugh!
One of the oddest things that I’ve witnessed in the office bathroom is someone using headphones while doing their business and you hear the muffled sounds of whatever they’re watching.  Not because of what they’re watching – I don’t care what that is – but just that they are doing it. I mean, how long do you plan to be in there that you need to bring headphones? What are you watching that is so important anyway?
See also:Â How to Use Your Cell Phone in the Bathroom
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Using the office bathroom like it’s your own personal space is bad enough, but bringing headphones that go on your face into that germ factory is just plain gross.  So think about it: Is that ESPN highlights reel so important that it can’t wait 10 minutes? I doubt it.Â
As always, if you have another manners question, I look forward to hearing from you at manners@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. Follow me on Twitter @MannersQDT, and of course, check back next week for more Modern Manners Guy tips for a more polite life.
Do you have any recent graduates in your circle, or perhaps someone who is looking to start a new career, check out my new book, Reply All…And Other Ways to Tank Your Career for great tips and advice on job success. It’s available now!
Young woman listening to headphones image courtesy of Shutterstock.